About FISH
Who We Are
We have found that by creating a stable living environment, and providing nutritious meals our clients find a renewed hope. With hope, clients can more accurately assess their behaviors and skills, and develop a willingness to change behaviors and improve their skills. Clients create goals and FISH holds them accountable. As clients achieve small goals, we work on bigger goals, like developing skills to move from minimum wage jobs to meaningful careers.
We summarize our services using our name, FISH provides Food, Instruction, Shelter, and Health care. FISH has locations in Carson, Douglas and Lyon counties, where we provide “a hand-up, not a hand-out”. During FY 20'-21', FISH served 2,597 Households of which 2,007 were under the federal poverty level. We provided 248,585 meals between our food banks and dining room, and 12,669 nights of shelter at our three emergency shelters.
Our Story
Locations
Administration and Client Services
Carson City, NV 89706
775-882-FISH (3474)
Client Services
Monday - Friday
9am-12pm / 1pm-5pm
Dining Hall
Mon-Sat: 3pm-5:30pm
Sun: 3pm-5pm
Food Bank
Monday - Friday
9am-12pm / 1pm-5pm
The Ross Medical Clinic
By Appointment Only
Ranchos Family Service Center
Gardnerville, NV 89460
775-265-3474
Client Services
Monday - 10am - 5pm
Tuesday - 10am - 5pm
Wednesday - 10am - 5pm
Thursday - 10am - 6pm
Friday - 10am - 5pm
How We Help
FY2020 By The Numbers
- 4,320 People
- 2,597 Households
- 224 Veterans
- 761 Disabled
- 1,096 Children
- 704 Seniors
- 753 New Families
The above numbers are UNDUPLICATED numbers, meaning even if a person came in many times last year, they were only counted once for these statistics.
- 232,893 Food Bank Meals
- 15,692 Dining Room Meals
- 1,700 Holiday Meals
- 12,669 Nights of Shelter
- 2,465 Thrift Store Vouchers
- 190 Job & Service Referrals
- 20,841 Showers
- 2,773 Laundry
- 275 Winter Coats
- 360 Medical Patients
- 160 Prescriptions
FOCUS, Wylie, and Family Emergency Shelters made 32 emergency beds available year round.
FISH served as the agent for the NVEnergy Special Assistance Fund for Energy grant program, the Southwest Gas Utility Assistance program, and the Water In Motion water bill assistance program. In FY2020, FISH administered 404 grants for utility payments.
FISH continued to use our “community database”, FISH Application for Client Services, so local nonprofits and government agencies can jointly track and coordinate services for shared clients. This database improves overall services, reduces duplication of effort, and helps to identify “super utilizers” who over-use available community resources. We find that if our staff has to work harder than the client, the client will not succeed. So we challenge them to take an active role toward self-sufficiency.
Our Transitional Housing Program is designed to help families (who work a minimum of 40 hours per week and have kids under the age of 18) to get stabilized. FISH offers housing with low rent and gives these families 24 months to achieve a stable financial path. It's the next step to no longer needing assistance.
Staff
After nearly 25 years working for corporations, Jim began serving as Executive Director of FISH in 2009. Jim has experience rebuilding non-profits so they are self-sustaining and valued by the local community. He has focused on developing collaborative relationships to help improve and enhance the non-profits that he works with. Jim has a Master's Degree from Michigan State University and is a member of the local Pastor's Association and Rotary Club.
Renee, who has her Masters in Human Services, joined FISH as Client Services Manager in November 2020. She comes from a long background in working with clients, most recently as an Advocate for domestic violence victims in the Washoe Tribe. Her passion for vulnerable populations and client services empowers her to make a difference in our community.
Gillian Murdock joined FISH in January 2019 as the Manager of Food Distribution, Volunteers, and Events. She oversees the operation of the Food Bank and Family Dining Room, organizes our amazing volunteers, and manages the event coordination for FISH. In her downtime, Gillian loves to spend time with her family, compete in archery tournaments, and explore the outdoors with her husband and new puppy.
Jim has worked in a number of hotels and restaurants around the West and Colorado and came to settle in the Tahoe/Carson City area in 1979. He enjoys his profession and the food industry. On his off time he enjoys camping, reading, hiking and, of course, cooking.
John manages FISH's three homeless shelters. He has been with FISH since 2011 and has lived in Carson City since 2000. In his free time he enjoys fishing, sports, and attending to church.
Champ joined FISH in 2019.
Megan joined the FISH team in August of 2020. Originally from Los Angeles, she graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.A in Sociology. Megan loves to explore Northern Nevada, golf, hike, and do yoga in her free time.
Alex joined FISH in August 2021. She has a passion for helping those without a voice including training and working with canines!
Lover of all things motorcycle. And rock 'n' roll. And football. And the great outdoors: hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking.
Lane, a Winnemucca native, joined FISH with over 15 years of management experience in Northern Nevada. With an MBA from UNR, he brings a unique organizational and strategic skillset to help in all of FISH's departments. Lane loves being with his kids on their homestead and getting outside whenever possible.
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